Chelsea thumped Bournemouth 5-1 in a stunning show of their attacking firepower to go fifth in the early Premier League table. Stunning strikes form Jordan Henderson bookmarked the scoring at Stamford Bridge as Xabi Alonso's side bounced back from their bad loss at Brentford before the international break in style. After a mixed start to his reign, the Spaniard is now entering a potentially defining run of games which will shape Chelsea's season.
This result and performance will fuel belief in the project. Chelsea were in serious need of a response and got it with a dream start - and more early goals. There were just 65 seconds on the clock when 36-year-old Henderson whipped his first of the afternoon in off a post after good play by Cole Palmer, who had extended his Chelsea contract earlier in the day.
Henderson then turned provider when Morgan Rogers' shot flicked off Antonio Silva and into the far corner. There had been just two minutes and 29 seconds played. It is the earliest Chelsea have ever been 2-0 up in a Premier League game.
Sleepy Bournemouth - who saw Rayan denied by a brilliant one-on-one stop from Emi Martinez just before the break - failed to learn their lesson and incredibly conceded a third just 30 seconds into the second half. Silva's error allowed Pedro Neto to cut the ball back for fit-again Joao Pedro to slam in. A set-piece scramble saw Evanilson block Moises Caicedo's clearance into the Chelsea net to deny the leaky Blues a clean sheet and there was suddenly nervousness around the ground.
But two more quickfire goals ended the contest. Pep Chavarria's cross for Joao Pedro to tap in his second of the afternoon was excellent. But Henderson's free-kick goal was exquisite.
With everyone expecting Palmer to take it on, the veteran midfielder instead produced another spectacular moment. Alonso's Chelsea may not be perfect. But they sure are exciting to watch.
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